Top-loading dishwasher

ABSTRACT

A top loading dishwasher including: a housing; a control panel; a top door; a handle; a inner center column; and a series of dish trays along the center column. Preferably, each tray includes removal and sectional dish racks. The top loading dishwasher is adapted for installation into a corner of a room. Other features of the top loading dishwasher are that each dish tray is circular and the center column attaches to the top door. In one exemplary embodiment, a hook system supports the each dish tray on the center column.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention The present invention relates to a top-loading dishwasher that conveniently enables the user to remove and load dishes from a top-access area.

Description of Related Art

Many households use dishwashers as a means to wash numerous dishes on a daily basis. The typical dishwasher usually has a frontloading door that releases forward and then allows the removal or movement of dishracks through a horizontal access. This type of dishwasher as a result requires adequate space to release the front door to a horizontal position to allow the horizontal movement of dishracks over the inside surface of the front door. Further these dishwashers require space for the insertion of the dishwasher and therefore can limit counter space in a kitchen. As a result, it be advantageous to have a dishwasher that was configured to limit space requirements and allow greater flexibility for a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a top loading dishwasher including: a housing; a control panel; a top door; a handle; a inner center column; and a series of dish trays along the center column. Preferably, each tray includes removal and sectional dish racks. The top loading dishwasher is adapted for installation into a corner of a room. Other features of the top loading dishwasher are that each dish tray is circular and the center column attaches to the top door. In one exemplary embodiment, a hook system supports the each dish tray on the center column.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of the top-loading dishwasher according to your present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a sectional side view of the top-loading dishwasher according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of a rack used with a dish tray according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a counter and cabinet that may be used to house the top-loading dishwasher according to present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a top-loading dishwasher that includes a top door that allows access into the interior of the dishwasher. A center column is used that extends from the bottom of the dishwasher to the top door that includes a means to mount dish trays along the column. The dish trays include removable dish racks that may be sectionally removed from the dishwasher. During use the user releases the top door, which allows the vertical movement of the dish trays from within the interior of the dishwasher. Once the vertical trays are available for access the user simply loads the trays with dishes and then lowers the trays and the center column back into the dishwasher for a washing cycle.

In reference to FIG. 1, a top view of a top-loading dishwasher 50 according to the present invention as depicted. The top view provides a view of a handle 54 that is placed at the center of a top door 52 of the dishwasher 50. Handle 54 allows a user to open and close the door 52 for loading purposes. A housing 56 surrounds the outer perimeter of the dishwasher 50. Preferably the dishwasher 50 is designed to fit into a corner into a room, as shown in FIG. 1, a first wall 32 and second wall 34 meet at a corner and allow for the installation of the top-loading dishwasher 50. The dishwasher 50 further includes a control panel of 55. This control panel 55 includes control mechanisms related to the dishwashing cycles available on the dishwasher 50. FIG. 2 depicts a sectional side view of the dishwasher 50. Top door 52 is shown with handle 54 at the top of the dishwasher. On the interior, the dish trays 40 are centered along a center column of 42. These dish trays 40 preferably are circular and an exemplary dish tray 40 is shown in FIG. 3. The dish try 40 includes a series of removable disc racks 46. These dish racks 46 are attached to the center column 42 through a hook system that secures the dish tray 40 into place. Also a rack housing 44 is shown that allows for the placement of the dish racks onto or around the center column 42. An inner spray core 48 is provided that transmits water during the dishwashing cycle.

A cabinet that may be used to house the dishwasher according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. The cabinet includes a countertop 36 with a pull-out drawer 26 is shown. The pull-out draw 26 includes a handle 27 along with a cabinet door 20 below the drawer 26. The door 20 further includes a handle 22 that allows for the user to open and close the door 20 for access therein. Preferably there is a fuse connection box 24 that allows for the connection of the electrical power to the top-loading dishwasher 50. Other features of the cabinet includes a shelf 25 at a mid-point which abuts against the wall 32.

This top-loading dishwasher allows the user to have optimum use of space in a kitchen and effectively loads the dishes in a vertical fashion and allows for vertical movement of the trays as opposed to horizontal movement of a traditional front-loading dishwasher. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A top loading dishwasher comprising: a. a housing; b. a control panel; c. a top door; d. a handle; e. a inner center column; and f. a series of dish trays along the center column.
 2. The top loading dishwasher according to claim 1, where each tray includes removal and sectional dish racks.
 3. The top loading dishwasher according to claim 1, where the top loading dishwasher is adapted for installation into a corner of a room.
 4. The top loading dishwasher according to claim 1, where each dish tray is circular.
 5. The top loading dishwasher according to claim 1, where the center column attaches to the top door.
 6. The top loading dishwasher according to claim 1, where a hook system supports the each dish tray on the center column. 